Winkys Pride made the trip across the border from Canada to the United States a successful one and took the featured $10,500 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night (June 13).
Competing at Flamboro Downs and Woodbine Racetrack prior to tonight, Winkys Pride ($7.30) and Buffalo Raceway leading driver Kevin Cummings used a strong stretch drive to snatch the victory away from the pacesetting Fiorentina (Ray Fisher Jr.) by a nose in 1:59 over the fast track.
Fiorentina set the tempo with splits of :29.4, :59.1 and 1:29.1. Winkys Pride, who managed to drop into the four-hole after starting in the seven position, swung three-wide down the lane and just got up in time for the victory. Fiorentina took the heart-breaking place position while Escrow Blue Chip (Jack Flanigen) finished in third.
Owned and trained by Robert Hummel of Puslinch, Ont., Winkys Pride (Amigo Hall-Winkys Smile) has now won four times in 17 starts in 2014, earning $30,775 this season and $151,024 lifetime.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)